Unususal 1942 Colt 1911A1

[Doran]

John gave permission to post this link to a 1942 Colt 1911A1. It is missing a finger relief cutout on one side.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=49716302 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?item=49716302)

I do not own the pistol and have no financial interests in its sale. I thought it was an unusual variation and would be of interest to the members.

[bgiven]

OOOOps.... Looks like Waldemar missed one !!!!!!!

[exitwounds]

It will be interesting to see what the anomoly sells for.

[John]

I do not know who Waldemar is, but I know that if a friend of ours, who is the QC of a certain 1911 maker here, spotted that pistol, his hair would have parted company with his head!

How on earth that happened?

[Doran]

Colonel Waldemar S. Broberg was the Army Inspector of Ordnance for that region of the United States when the pistol was built. That is the WB mark on the left side. Not personally inspected by him but his responsibility. Colt made more than 100,000 pistols that year and this one missed a machining operation.

[Johnny Peppers]

A few years back I knew a collector that had another Colt with only one finger cutout, but I believe it was on the other side. A Remington Rand sold a few years back that didn't have either cutout. The frame looked just like a 1911 frame.

Forgot to add, but this is at the bottom of the description of the pistol:

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END THIS AUCTION IF A WALK IN CUSTOMER BUYS IT BEFORE THE RESERVE IS MET.

I inquired as to what the "WALK IN CUSTOMER" price was. $8999. Must be one heck of a reserve.

[Hawkmoon]

Such things can and do happen. Does anyone remember the old Chrysler Corporation disposable economy cars of the 70s, the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare? My chiropractor's wife had one. The badges said "Aspen" on one side and "Volare" on the other.

[Johnny Peppers]

Years ago my dad received a new company truck. It was a GMC ordered through the local Buick-GMC dealer. After about two weeks he noticed that the tailgate had CHEVROLET prominently displayed across the tailgate. The dealer promptly replaced the tailgate.

[1911Tuner]

A bit OT, but several year ago...around 1975...a friend and I were rebuilding the engine in his girlfriend's '67 Chevelle. When we tore it down, we had seven 4-inch cylinders and pistons (327)...and one 3.75-inch. (283) Her father had bought the car brand-spankin' new.

Yeah...It happens.

[RayP.]

Mason Williams who used to do quite a bit of writing for the gun mags, had an Ithaca that didn't have the serreations machined in on one side of the slide. Also,local gunshop sold a S&W 39(?) to a guy and the barrel didn't have rifling cut in it,he called the gunshop about an hour after he got home with it and told them he wouldn't return it unless S&W gave him a free new gun,gunshop is on good terms with ATF,agent visited buyer and told him that pistol was considered as illegal because of smooth bore and unless he wanted to face charges he best turn it over,S&W replaced the pistol and gave some freebies along with it. In 1978 I picked up 2 new 1/2 ton GMC pickups for the plant I worked for,one was missing all the time,the other had no power when trying to tow pumps or compressors,took dealer about 2wks. to finally find out one didn't have any rings on #4 piston,other didn't have any 2nd. gear parts installed in the auto transmission.

[mayagrafix]

It would be interesting to know if LT. COLONEL GEORGE COLLEY was left handed ... making this M1911A1 somesort of a custom job (which would explain how it got out the Colt factory to begin with).

[Sgt. Quincannon]

The shoulder holster is made to hang under the left arm, for right-hand draw, so I'm guessing the General was right-handed.